Goldfish, Zombies, and How To Get Out of a Rut

Like when you’ve made four turns toward rightTo gaze at naught with much delight?Or, one leg fixed, exclaimed “How pretty!”From whirling thus a full three-sixty?Or raked with eyes ’til you have capturedYour very own house and been enraptured?So thought you were alone in this,But such is life to golden fish.

–A. T. Bui

Zombies. Always eating the same food (brains). Working the same job (stalking the living). Hanging out with the same people at the same place (fellow zombies at the graveyard).

We’ve all been there. It’s called being in a rut. You’re not really sad, but you’re not really happy either. There just seems to be a cloud hanging over your mood all day. You have a routine, which is great for that sense of stability, but you don’t have anything you look forward to. You have an anchor with which to weather life’s unexpected storms, but no destination toward which to depart. Where’s the fun? The adventure? The creativity, the beauty, and the music? Where’s the high? (And I don’t mean that kind of high)

First, free your body. Open up your chest, take a deep breath, and take up space around you. Find an enjoyable way to work out, whether it be bicycling, tennis, golf, or anything really. Keep your blood from stagnating in order to keep your life from stagnating.

Next, free your mind. Do not turn on the zombie tube or play zombie-phone games just because you are bored! These diversions numb the mind and should be limited to relaxation and reward only. Ever notice how tired you feel after a few hours of TV or video games? Never keep busy just for the sake of being busy because you have nothing better to do. Allow silence to stimulate your mind with thought, reflection, dreams, and self-expression.

Then, free your spirit. Weigh anchor and set sail for unchartered waters. Say “Yes” to new experiences. Say “Yes” to new friends. Say “Yes” to everything you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to. Get lost and enjoy the salty sea breeze of unfamiliar lands.